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Much as I would like a private board, I think auk need to be convinced one is needed and currently not enough people do seem to think so.Of course even a private board would not be confidential & I think this is one of the reasons auk have not wanted to go down this route as it might give some people a false sense of security.Though I do wonder if Adoption Today would feature it as a survey to see if it is wanted.all the bestl

I feel the AGM part of the proceedings needs to be longer, and more member focused.Love Darcy xx

could we try & work are the main issues round the boards, if we want to ask Karam? as I think an article would need to have a bit more substance than just a question/surveyl

HI AllApologies if I have inadvertently got you even more frustrated than you already feel Madrid (with AUK , I think).My reasons for suggesting the AGM as an avenue, was exactly because you and others have obviously tried so many times before to get AUK to see why many of us believe that a more private members only section of the message board is needed - and yet- have failed in that attempt.As a registered Charity, my understanding is that the organisation has to accept proposals from its members for debate at its AGM providing that the proposal is properly put to the trustees and in good time. This was my reasoning for bringing this up now.I think I was clear enough in saying in my original post that the discussion about need has taken place on many of the boards over the the years. THE NEED IS THERE - no doubt.So, the question is, how do we get the trustees to listen to our the members needs and to implement something that we need to support us - after all is said and done, this is what AUK is,or should be, about. Jellies

Perhaps jellies, you could ring up AUK and ask to speak to Jonathan (director).I wouldnt waste too much time going into the whys and what we would like to happen- just ask how to get it heard at the AGM.Even if we have had a conflict of ideas I have always found him sympathetic to adopters primarily and what he has changed as a result has had immediate ramifications.I think you may be right about the charities bit- I'll ask my relative who is on the board of several charities what the process is.I can hear the others frustrations about lack of support, advocacy and representation and share it tbh- but we need a voice and AUK is the best one we have- but it is one that needs to change to reflect our needs as members.One problem I think is an issue is how much the boards are undervalued as some sort of additional frippery when in fact they are probably AUKs most used resource. AUK does a lot on support grps/ training grps etc but actually the boards are their LARGEST support group by a long long way. Let alone the level of expertise, PM and general support AUK could never afford to buy in, is here given in good will and for free!I dont know if this helps Jellies- but good luck and we will support as much as we can.Pear Tree

There are lots of us frustrated about lots of issues that AUK need to take a look at and act on. As I say the AGM should be member focused and alot longer, it always seems a rush job to me, and then on to the speakers. Whilst it is good to have the speakers, an AGM is about more than that.But if AUK want some proposals, not just about a private board, that is one of them from others. Myself and Mr D can think of some we can assure you.Love Darcy xx

Mrs and Mr DI know you could think of a few !!!!Maybe now is the time to do what we can to make the AGM component of the day more membership orientated. Given the high level of discussion re private boards, imo, that is the place to start.Jellies

Next year, (as it will be too late this year). AUK perhaps need to rethink their agenda for the AGM?.Love Darcy xx

Yes, I think you are right Darcy.

(((((Madrid)))))xx

Hi AllMadrid - hugs xxxx Pear tree - speak to your reli asapDarcy - we can influence future AGMs - ptiy though if we have to use excess energy to do that when we are so drained by the life we lead, by the professionals involved at all levels of the adoption journey and that AUK can't just , as meno says, do it.Meno - I do intend to carry on.Next job - to get a copy of the constitution, possibly speak to Jonathan, and get this proposal sorted out for the AGM.I would like to politely say again - The disscussion has been had, the need is there for a private members only section. So, we either do it (proposal to AGM)or we don't.Everyone who agrees that we should put a proposal to the AGM needs to post their thoughts on ITS WORDING or , to be blunt, butt out of posting on this particular thread. If you want to discuss the pro's and con's of a private meaasage board, this is not the thread to do it on. If you disagree with having a private message board, and we manage to get a proposal put to the AGM, you can use your vote then.Yours (firing on all my cylinders - and still remaining optomistic but realistic)Jellies

I think the wording you used in your first post sounded OK, Jellies.I'm more than a little disappointed though, to be honest, that no-one from AUK has bothered to respond to the thread. I know it's only been a day, but surely someone could have acknowledged it and said whether it's a viable proposition or not - either for this years AGM or next.

Good point FS.Would the mods like to pass the discussion on this thread to Jonathan to comment on it ?I would like to know about what the constitution says, the agenda for the AGM and how to go about putting the proposal forward.Jellies

Jellies,I am also interested in getting the way the AGM is carried out changed. Perhaps saying "butt out" is not a good idea either thats not very democratic really and may not further the cause. I know I am not very PC either, but just a thought jellies hey!!.I also think that all members could benefit from a copy of the constitution.I wonder when we will get a response from HQ?.Love and Support Darcy xx

just had my agm confirmation letter & there is a space to ask questions which if unanswered will feature in Adoption Today if I've read it correctlyl

Thank you for your comments on this thread. Adoption UK has no immediate plans - due to the major time and resource constrainst we are currently under with the redevelopment of the website - to offer a protected area of the website for the use of message board users. The reasons for this have been aired before but to remind those of you who know and to set out our position for those that don’t the key issue for us as the organisation that hosts, manages and moderates the boards is that we can not guarantee security. Merely putting another gate in the way of prospective adopters, adoptive parents and other parties from accessing, debating and supporting each other regarding adoption issues under the cloak of ‘privacy’ does not and never will protect bona fide users from those who have malevolent intentions. Followers of this thread would do well to read or re-read the front pages of today’s newspapers and draw some parallel conclusions as to how easy it is for certain people to inveigle their way into situations and reek devastating consequences. No organisation can guarantee the safety of children from those who wish to do harm. No message board will protect adopted children and their families from potential harm. The best way that we can help adoptive parents to share their experiences is to provide the platform for them to do so and to provide an attentive and experienced team of moderators to ensure that confidentiality and security are as good as they can be given our resources. It has always been our aim to provide a supportive forum for as wide a community as possible, for all those with an interest in adoption and to encourage those who wish to adopt to have a rounded, unbiased view of the delights and challenges of the adoption journey from those who know best, adoptive parents. This will continue to be our aim and the fact that our registered online users has grown to 18,000 people is testament to the value of that principle.On the AGM – we can confirm that when you sign up to the Annual Conference you will receive a pack which includes the opportunity to submit a question for the AGM.Online Community Team

Right, have spoken to reli.Putting forward a question in Any other business could easily be squeezed out.I think there are several areas that some members might like to be consulted on and be properly considered, the AUK considered answer listened to, Members given the chance to air their opinions and then the members to vote. (not least on the private boards issue.)As a membership owned charity it is bizarre that the AGM is run without consultation as to the agenda by its members.Basically, to be sure of any consideration it must be a listed item on the official agenda for the agm. it should be an open agenda to the membership. It needs to be clearly worded that this is the proposal, please allow submissions from all sides of the debate and then the members should vote.for the single point of private message boards- write to the secretary and request that it is listed as an agenda item.

in response to the AUK message.We all value the boards for what they can offer currently. I am pleased that in recent yrs the moderation levels have really improved.But..Its all very well saying AUK has financial considerations when they are sat there in their large newly acquired head quarters and we are still stuck on the dodgey antiquated message boards.Understanding EXTREMELY well (as I do) about the online unsavoury actions of a few determined evil perverts cannot possibly be an excuse for not providing private boards. Leaving them entirely open to whoever wants to read them HAS to be worse. Having private boards might give a false sense of security to some ,perhaps, but it does stop the casual voyeurism of the snooping Local Authority or "wronged" birth family member working out who is who at a glance of a few posts or a predatory person or troll.Everyone has to be responsible for keeping their own families and children safe- the same as they can only do their best to do with their schools, nurserys, churches and neighbours, they also are responsible for safe guarding on line. WE are aware of how especially vulnerable our children are and take considerable steps to protect them. You make it clear on the rules that people need to be careful and most are. There is also something to be said for very seasoned adopters often being hounded for appearing negative whenever they post about a problematic situation. Also, many are minded that there are people reading who are at the earliest stages and they honestly don't feel comfortable talking about some of the extremes of behaviour faced in case they put someone off.

Does anyone have a copy of the constitution of Adoption UK? - the constitution will usually have a section saying how the AGM should be run and how questions can be submitted.From the Charities Commission website it looks like the constitution in AUK's case is a trust deed dated 2 July 1984.If anyone has a copy and can pm me I can have a look at it.I have quite a bit of experience in the area of constitutions/AGMs etc and would be happy to assist if I can.Kind regardsDuckling